Born and raised on the New Hampshire seacoast, Mike Smith came to the Big Apple in 1971 in search of the excitement and opportunities the city offered for an ambitious young salesman. His first job as an apprentice with a manufacturers' rep agency earned him a mere $81 weekly salary. It wasn't much at first, but he knew he was on his way to making his dream a reality.
 

Mike made due by living in a rooming house and dining at the corner hot dog stand. His goal from the beginning, was to build a successful career as a manufacturers' rep. So he embraced his new territory in the rough neighborhoods of New York, worked 24/7, and established great relationships and accounts selling fasteners.
 

The eleven years he worked for McCormick Associates gave him the field experience and education he needed to open up his own company. So, in March of 1982 with the help of friends and family, Mike started Smith Associates in a small apartment located in northern New Jersey.
 

He learned early on in his life, that a good businessman needs to be honorable and ethical. This methodology worked in the long run, but slowed the growth process in the beginning. Mike vowed he'd never take a line away from another rep, so he declined the many calls from manufacturers offering to switch their lines and sign with him.
 

So he waited, patiently and proudly... and then it took off. Wrought Washer Manufacturing of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was one of the first lines Mike represented, followed by Dayon Spring Manufacturing of Farmington, Connecticut.
 

The business grew, and the apartment with dad's rolltop desk was no longer adequate enough to house the demands of a growing company. He soon thereafter opened a new office with a staff in Hackensack, New Jersey.
 

As any successful salesman knows, the marketing decisions and sales policies created early on become the foundation for a company's growth and survival.
 

As Smith Associates grew and selling trends changed, Mike made a difficult and eventually fortuitous decision to focus on the distribution market. Armed with that stubborn Irish integrity, he vowed not to betray his customers and chose not to concentrate on OEMs. This gained the unflappable trust of his customers... the distributors.
 

Add to that the patriotic alliance with domestic manufacturers, and Mike became carefully aligned with the top producers of each product line: APM Hexseal, Ideal Fasteners, Vulcan Threaded Products & WJ Roberts, to name a few.
 

The next 15 years of growth increased Smith Associates' lines and geographical regions. Five major industries including structural, electrical, military, aerospace and industrial are offered in both the New York Metropolitan and Mid-Atlantic regions.
 

Mike's formula for success has not only put kudos on his wall and dollars in his pocket, but it has increased the bottom line for many manufacturers, as well. Inviting the challenge of handling a brand new line, Mike has contributed to the development of business for many companies. Principals like Trihex , Prestige Stamping, TurnaSure, and Screws Industries praise this outstanding rep company for driving their sales into new territories and uncharted industries.
 

With distribution company sales increasing by the millions, the demand for representation had necessitated the opening of an additional office in New England. Dan Bielefield, former National Sales Manager for Crescent Manufacturing, brought to Smith Associates his sales expertise as well as experience from running headers, threaders and slotters to accomplish the task.


Recently, Smith Associates brought on board a new addition: Corey Magyar. A bright and talented young man with years of sales knowledge, a business education, and the drive to succeed in a rapidly evolving world. Looking forward to building his career and reputation, Corey is excited to offer his assistance at every opportunity. 
 

Dan is unrivaled in his knowledge of the fastener industry, which gives him the edge for guiding the many companies we represent to stronger yearly profits. Add Mike's coaching about the importance of "communication and ethics" along with Corey's eagerness and new insights, and one has a recipe for continuing success as the best manufacturers' reps from Maine to Virginia.
 

"Communication does not mean computerization." The professionals at Smith Associates believe in the old fashioned ingredient of personal contact, supported by the facilitation of automation. Think it's not possible? Ask the "millenial" on our team. 
 

Pick up the phone and call our office. One of us will greet you personally and be happy to help you. "We're here to partner with our customers and principals on every level. We know what it takes to save money and raise your sales quotas yearly." says Mike.
 

All of us at Smith Associates thank our loyal principals and customers for all your faith and support over the years.
 

Let's make 2018 the best ever.

 

SMITH ASSOCIATES - 30 YEARS OF SUCCESS
* 1982-2014 *

As the 30th Anniversary of Smith Associates approaches, it seemed like the perfect time to share our thoughts on what it took to reach this major milestone. Running a business in these tough economic times is a lot like being a contestant on the hit reality show "Survivor." It's how you react to the tests and challenges thrown before you that make the difference between success and failure.

For Smith Associates, our "Survivor" moment came when Hurricane Irene swept into town and left our offices knee deep in sewage and three feet of water.

Watching our entire office and all its contents being thrown into two dumpsters makes you stop and think about what's truly important in life. Would this unbelievable act of Mother Nature signal the end of Smith Associates? Or a new beginning?

Then it dawned on us. Smith Associates was so much more than physical assets like phones, files or furniture. Our foundation wasn't built on bricks and mortar; it was built on the strength of our people, their knowledge of the industry, loyalty to our customers, and perhaps most of all, their resiliency to bounce back after an almost insurmountable setback. So, instead of "packing it in," we packed up and moved to new offices and started a new chapter in the story of Smith Associates.
 

The first chapter of Smith Associates actually started back in 1982. After working for a rep agency for eleven years, Mike longed to strike out on his own. So with nothing more than a phone, Rolodex and an old roll top desk, Smith Associates was born in an apartment in Rockaway, NJ. Mike opened the doors handling just two lines.

Today, Smith Associates has grown into one of the East Coast's more successful rep agencies and currently represents many of the top manufacturers in the industry.
 

Aside from Mike's business accomplishments, there is a long list of outside activities and causes that he donates his time to. They include: Past President and longtime board member of the Metropolitan Fastener Distributors Association, an active volunteer in his church, as well as many other charitable causes, and president of the Antique Boat Club of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. Mike is also an Eagle Scout, although it's been awhile since he earned his last Merit badge. Yet, despite his many achievements, Mike always gives credit for his success to his small, close-knit staff.
 

Dan Bielefield has played an integral role at Smith Associates since 2003. A former Marine, Dan started his fastener career at Crescent Manufacturing, and currently sits on the board of the New England Fastener Distributor Association. He covers the New England and Long Island territories for Smith Associates. Dan resides in southern Connecticut with his wife Pat and their three children. He is also a third generation Eagle Scout.
 

The story of Smith Associates, however, couldn't be told without recognizing the contributions of Chris Smith, Mike's wife. For over thirty years, she has worked side-by-side with Mike handling the financial side of the business and offering a level of support that is quite simply, invaluable.
 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of Smith Associates. We couldn't have done it without you.